Can you identify this hat badge?

[KLG]

This hat badge (at least that's what I think it is) was among some medals I recently inherited.  The medals are from my 2nd great uncle (Captain, 5th Dragoon Guards) and my great grandfather (Captain Royal Horse Guards).  This is the only thing I can't identify and I've searched all over the www.  Any ideas?

[KLG]

Here are some detail pictures which might help.  I'm thinking it a Hussar's regiment, but I can't find anything that identifies it with certainty.

 

 

If one looks long enough, the answer comes . . .

Now the question is, How did it come to be in the possession of my English / Irish family? ?‍♂️

 

 

Look

[Bayern]

Hello , probably souvenir of war. were and when your two ancestors served? 

[KLG]

My 2nd Great Uncle was a captain in the 5th Dragoon Guards.  He has a medal for the Egyptian Campaign, but I'm not sure if this badge is from that era.  My great grandfather was in the royal Horse guards and my grandfather served as a lieutenant in Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.

[Stuka f]

Hello, 

could you tell us how (or small! ;-)) it is, please!

It makes me think it could be a German (it is definitely German!!) insignia for colonial troops.

[coldstream]

If you could supply full names and rough dates of service then we should be able to establish some details of where your relations served and hopefully make a link with the badge shown.

Simon.

[KLG]

Thank you for your help, Simon!

Captain Hon. Thomas Kenelm Digby St. Lawrence, 5th Dragoon Guards 1876 - ?.  He served in the Egyptian Campaign in 1882.  He died in 1891 at age 35 of typhoid fever.

Kenelm Edward Lee Guinness, Lieutenant Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 1914-18.

Edited November 11, 2018 by KLG

[Stuka f]

Sorry I omit to put the word "big" in my last question...

So I will rephrase;could you tell us please the dimensions of the badge?

[Arnhembobby]

Hello there KLG,

I agree this is German for sure and I reckon it would be circ 1870-80 maybe earlier. I think this would be a badge bolted/fixed to the flap of a cartouche as worn by Hussars, Artillery, Uhlans, etc. It appears to be originally flat and that would suggest that this was not worn on a hat or helmet or even on a tunic sleeve. Certainly an other ranks fitting as officers' equivalent were without a doubt more ornate. I have not proof as such but in my opinion this is the most likely use. Another 'non-military' use could be from a pouch as worn by civil services such as post officers or police maybe. However, due to the collection it was in amongst, it is probably as you imply. Military.  

[KLG]

I posed in the Germany section of these forums at it was identified as hat badge for the Askari colonial troops in Africa.  Probably Schutztruppe since their badges were white metal while the Polizeitruppe Askari's badges were brass.

 

[Arnhembobby]

Ooops! I stand corrected. Colonial hat badge it is then. Just shows

you what I know.

Well done